Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma spp.) Other common names: horny toad Spanish name: camale�n Distinguishing Features Up to 10 species of horned lizards occur in the Sonoran Desert region, from the 2¾ inch (69 mm) long round-tailed horned lizard (P. modestum) to the 5 inch (127 mm) long Texas horned lizard (P. cornutum). With squat, flat, toad-like bodies (Phrynosoma means �toad-body�) and thorn-like projections at the rear of their heads, horned lizards are easily distinguished from other lizards. The projections differ in size and arrangement from one species to another. Along the sides of the body, fringe-like scales occur in one row, two parallel rows, or they may be absent. Males have enlarged post-anal scales, and during the breeding season, a swollen tail base. Range Regale horned lizard Horned lizards are found throughout the Sonoran Desert region from near sea level up to 11,300 feet (3440 m).

Some species are widespread, such as the round-tailed and Texas horned lizards which occur in several U.S. and Mexican states, while the flat-tailed horned lizard (P. mcalli) is restricted to southwestern Arizona, extreme southeastern California, a small part of northeastern Baja California and the upper neck of northwestern Sonora, Mexico. Habitat Horned lizards are found in extremely diverse habitats. The flat-tailed horned lizard occurs in areas of fine sand, while the short-horned lizard (P. douglassii) is found in shortgrass prairie all the way up into spruce-fir forest. The most common species in the Arizona Upland subdivision is the regal horned lizard (P. solare), which frequents rocky or gravelly habitats of arid to semiarid plains, hills and lower mountain slopes. Life History The diet of some horned lizards consists of specific insects, while other species are more catholic in their tastes. Not only does P. solare prefer ants, it has a strong preference for harvester ants, which may make up to 90 percent of its diet.

As diets go, ants are low return items because so much of their body consists of indigestible chitin. Thus, the regal horned lizard must eat a great number of ants to meet its nutritional needs. This diet requires space, which is why the stomach of the regal horned lizard may represent up to 13 percent of its body mass. Ant-eating horned lizards usually capture their prey with their sticky tongues rather than grabbing it with their jaws. In addition, they have modified skeletal morphologies, such as shorter teeth and reduced diameter of the bones of the lower mandible. Horned lizards are no exception to the general rule that lizards are not attracted to dead insects as food�the ants must be alive and moving for the lizard to show interest in them as prey. Harvester ants can bite and have a potent venom, but apparently this has little effect on the esophagus or stomach of the lizard. However, when faced with swarming ants the lizard will make a hasty retreat, for these little invertebrates can kill an adult horned lizard. Most species of horned lizards lay eggs between May and August, with clutches ranging from 3 to 45 depending on species.

Even with such high numbers of eggs only around 2 from each clutch will reach sexual maturity. The short-horned lizard bears live young. This is considered an adaptation to living at higher elevations, where eggs may be at risk due to low temperatures, and egg development might be slowed considerably. Horned Lizards, Horny Toads - Genus Phrynosoma - DesertUSA Horned Lizards Genus Phrynosoma Horned lizards are the most fearsome-looking and distinctive by virtue of the pointed, protruding "horns" above their eyes. The numerous species of horned lizards, all members of the genus Phrynosoma, have very wide, flattened, toad-like bodies. The tail is short but broad at the base. In most species, the back of the head and temples are crowned with a prominent row of sharp, pointed horns. The tail and sides are fringed with sharp spines. On some species the sides are adorned with a double fringe of spines. On the back, there are rows of short conical spines. To the uninitiated, their dragon-like appearance is quite formidable.

The squat form and head armor has given rise to the name "horny toad," "horned toad" and "horned lizards." However, since there is a true toad with horns, it is best that we speak of this genus as the "horned lizards." Their colors are pleasing. The back and head are soft desert gray. The markings are in pastel shades of tan, brown, red or yellow. The underparts are pale, yellowish gray. The overall colors are generally close to the predominant color of the soil. Color changes from light to dark (or reverse) can occur within a few minutes. Range and Habitat Horned lizards are found only in the western portions of the United States and Mexico. There are 14 recognized species. They range from Arkansas to the Pacific Coast, and from British Columbia south to Guatemala. These lizards are creatures of hot, dry, sandy environments. Some of the species inhabit the deserts proper where the sun, beating on the arid landscape, produces ground heat that is almost unbearable to humans. Others enter mountainous areas and are found as high as 10,000 feet.

The most common horned lizard in the western deserts is aptly named the desert horned lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos) consisting of two subspecies: the northern (P.p. platyrhinos) which inhabits the Great Basin Desert, and the southern (P.p. calidiarum) which inhabits the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts including a finger of the east coast of northern Baja California. Five other species of horned lizards inhabit the North American deserts: Roundtail Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma modestum) Chihuahuan Flattail Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma m'calli) Sonoran Regal Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma solare) Sonoran Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) Chihuahuan Shorthorned Lizard (Phrynosoma douglassi) Great Basin The coast horned lizard (Phrynosoma coronatum), which is found in coastal and cismontane California, crosses to the east side of the Baja Peninsula, actually making contact with the desert horned lizard in the vicinity of Bahía de Los Angeles.

The two live sympatrically for a distance along the east coast. As the coastal form has taken over the balance of the peninsula, it could also be considered a desert form since it does live in the deserts of Baja right down to Cabo San Lucas. There is, however, some conjecture about the taxonomy of the Baja horned lizards starting with the ones found directly south of the San Diego subspecies, and they may actually be one or more different species/subspecies related to the coast horned lizard. Habits Regardless of where they occur, there is a similarity in their habits. In the fall, they hibernate by burying themselves in the sand. They emerge in the spring when the sun's rays have reached a certain temperature. The first few hours of the day are spent basking, usually flattened against a rock or on slanting soil, so their back is exposed to the sun. At times, while warming up, they may flatten and tilt their bodies toward the sun to obtain maximum radiation. As soon as their body temperature rises to a specific degree, they begin foraging for food. As the heat of the day increases, they become more active.

They feed on slow-moving, ground-dwelling insects, spiders, sow bugs, an occasional tick and even items as large as the butterfly and sphynx moth larvae. Ants seem to be their major food source. They do not pursue their victim hastily, like some lizards, but poise over it and methodically take it, in toad-like fashion, with a flick of their long, sticky tongue. The toad-like action ceases if disturbed, for they will flee as rapidly as a startled mouse. Video on ants and the horned lizards - Click Here After feeding, when ground temperature becomes too hot, they seek the shade of a shrub, partially concealing themselves. There they spend the remainder of the day. In the evening, while it is still warm, they "dig in" for the night. This is a curious process. They stick their nose in the sand like the blade of a plow and wriggle forward to create a short furrow. After flattening the body, they use the spiny border of the sides in a shovel-like fashion to scoop and dig their way into the sand.

Sometimes they bury themselves 3 or 4 inches deep, and other times they just leave the top of the head and eyes exposed. Their coloration is such that they blend readily into their surroundings, making them difficult to find. However, when found partially covered with sand, they are rather easily captured. Their defense mechanisms are quite limited. When caught by hand, they may distend their bodies by filling their lungs with air and twist their head in a futile attempt to scratch you with their horns. On occasion they spurt blood from the corners of their eyes, which is startling, to say the least. Life Cycle Mating occurs in late April, peaks in June and stops abruptly in July. Egg laying starts a few weeks later, usually in late July and early August. The farther north, the later the eggs are laid. In some species the eggs are retained, and the young are hatched just before, during or shortly after laying. Other species bury their eggs in the sand where they require several weeks for further development before the eggs hatch. The egg shells are white and flexible and average about one-half inch in diameter. The number of eggs varies with the species.

Some have from 10 to 30 eggs, with an average of about 15. T he young are called hatchlings. They are about 7/8 to 1-1/8 inches long, snout to vent. The young have been observed to bury themselves in the sand immediately upon hatching. The babies receive no parental care, so when they emerge, they start to hunt for food. The young are cute, the horns on their head are apparent, although the rest of their skin, while well marked, is relatively smooth. They grow most rapidly in late summer and early spring when there is an abundance of food. There is no evidence that they reproduce the first year, but they are classed as young adults by the end of the second summer and probably reach full growth in three years. Some species reach a snout-to-vent length of 6 inches. Most species are less than 5 inches in length. They have a life expectancy of from 5 to 8 years in the deserts of North America. Current Status Because they are so fearsome in appearance, yet quite harmless, desert visitors tend to collect them to show the folks back home.

Horned lizards are neat creatures but hard to keep because most of them are obligate ant eaters and, at that, eat a very limited number of species of ants. Some do diverge from the ant diet at certain times of the year such as the regal horned lizard, which gorges itself on tiny beetles and eschews ants altogether when the beetles are abundant. Also, the coast horned lizard can survive on inverts other than ants. But the flattail and shorthorned, as well as the desert horned lizards, are closely tied to ants and will die if those are not supplied in quantity. Habitat destruction and ant destruction have placed several species of horned lizards in danger. After all, the first thing people do when they move into the desert is kill the pesky ants, thereby depriving horned lizards of their only dependable diet. Taken from their native surroundings and offered an improper diet and an inadequate place to live, horned lizards soon die. Consequently, the Department of Fish and Game has been given the authority to limit the take and possession of Horned Lizards.

It is best to simply examine one carefully, then release it where found, for that is where it rightfully belongs. -- George Seymour & A.R. Royo -- Additional material provided by Jerrold J. Feldner Other Lizards for Sale | Reptiles for Sale Other Lizards for Sale View Cart Other Lizards for Sale This is our page of lizards for sale that are not easily categorized, including Plated, Caiman, Collared, Horned, and many more species. As is always the case, when you buy a lizard from us, you are fully covered with the arrive alive guarantee we provide. $699.99 Why buy reptiles? We offer exotic reptiles for sale online at absolute rock-bottom prices, which means we make these fascinating animals available to you affordably as pets, or even to start your own reptile breeding project. We are reptile enthusiasts who believe captive breeding is integral to the future of the market, as it not only helps protect wild herp populations, but is an incredibly rewarding experience that tends to intensify one's passion for these amazing prehistoric creatures.

Whether you buy a snake, lizard, turtle, tortoise, or alligator, we are driven to provide the highest quality live reptiles for sale. Why buy amphibians? Amphibians are generally slower-moving, and have uniquely moist skin which means they are never far from a source of water. Their life cycle is nothing short of incredible: they hatch in water, spend weeks or months in metamorphosis, then become either terrestrial or remain primarily water bound. Some salamanders even breathe through their skin! Our live amphibians for sale online include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. Some are huge, some are small, and virtually all are amazing to observe in captivity. When you buy amphibians from us, you can rest assured they are fully guaranteed to arrive alive and in great condition. Why not start an amphibian breeding project today? Why buy feeder insects? Reptile and amphibian food should be varied, which is why we offer an array of feeder insects for sale. It's always far more cost effective to buy feeder insects in bulk, which often saves up to 70% off pet store prices. Plus, the feeders are delivered right to your doorstep.

We offer live crickets for sale, as well as mealworms, wax worms, nightcrawlers, and now even lizards, all at the lowest possible prices. Our reptile and amphibian feeder insects and lizards include a guarantee of live arrival. Why buy our reptiles? We offer exotic reptiles for sale online at absolute rock-bottom prices, which means we make these fascinating animals available to you affordably as pets, or even to start your own reptile breeding project. We are reptile enthusiasts who believe captive breeding is integral to the future of the market, as it not only helps protect wild herp populations, but is an incredibly rewarding experience that tends to intensify one's passion for these amazing prehistoric creatures. Whether you buy a snake, lizard, turtle, tortoise, or alligator, we are driven to provide the highest quality live reptiles for sale. Why buy our amphibians? Amphibians are generally slower-moving than reptiles, and have uniquely moist skin which means they are never far from a source of water. Their life cycle is nothing short of incredible: they hatch in water, spend weeks or months in metamorphosis, then become either terrestrial or remain primarily water bound.

Some salamanders even breathe through their skin! Our live amphibians for sale online include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. Some are huge, some are small, and virtually all are amazing to observe in captivity. When you buy amphibians from us, you can rest assured they are fully guaranteed to arrive alive and in great condition. Why not start an amphibian breeding project today? Why buy our reptile feeders? Reptile and amphibian food should be varied, which is why we offer an array of feeder insects for sale. It's always far more cost effective to buy feeder insects in bulk, which often saves up to 70% off pet store prices. Plus, the feeders are delivered right to your doorstep. We offer live crickets for sale, as well as dubia roaches, mealworms, wax worms, nightcrawlers, and now even lizards, all at the lowest possible prices. Our reptile and amphibian feeder insects and lizards include a guarantee of live arrival. Reptiles for Sale What is An Arizona Horned Toad?

|Horny Toad | Horned Lizard April 1, 2014 Regal Horned Lizard Creative Commons The "horned toad" is not a toad. It's really a lizard that is known by many names such as horn toads, horned lizards and horny toads. They look rather frightening and evil with pointy thorn-like projections all over their body. But these creatures are docile and completely harmless. They resemble miniature dragons that could related to the dinosaur age. Maybe they are. Ancient artifacts that are thousands of years old have been discovered inscribed with images of the horned lizard. Horny toads are relatively small lizards but their fierce appearance is a defensive benefit against some predators. Hawks, owls and snakes could be a bit apprehensive about eating something that looks so dangerous. When threatened they will inflate their bodies and hiss making them appear larger and even more frightening. Some species can even shoot a stream of blood from the corners of their eyes. A hungry coyote may well have second thoughts about having a horny lizard for dinner.

Characteristics of The Arizona Horny Toad Depending upon species, of which there are many, adults range in size from about 3 to 7 inches. They all share the common physical traits of dragon-like appearance with wide flattened bodies covered with spines and pointed horns. Their tails are short, yet broad at the base. The body has the appearance of being covered with natural body armor. The diet of horned lizards consists of ants and small insects which fall victim to very fast flick of a sticky tongue. Upon emerging from shallow burrows in early morning, they must bask in the sun to reach a specific body temperature before foraging for food. As ground heat increases during the day the lizard seeks shade under bushes. In the evening they use their nose and spiny sides to wiggle (dig) into loose soil or sand to cover themselves about 2 to 3 inches deep. They hibernate in late fall and emerge during spring. Horny toads mate in late April and lay clutches of up 45 eggs during late summer. Tiny hatchlings break free from their eggs in a few weeks and immediately begin hunting. Only about half reach adulthood since they are so vulnerable to predators.

It is interesting that mothers of the young do not provide parental protection of care. Average life span is 5 to 8 years. Habitat of The Horned Lizard There are 14 recognized species of horned lizards that inhabit the west from Arkansas to the Pacific Coast. Six species are unique to the Sonoran and Mohave Deserts of Arizona, Southeastern California and Northern Mexico. Those that thrive in the state of Arizona are often called "Desert Horned Lizards" which include Roundtail, Flattail and Regal horned lizards. While most live in the desert regions they also exist at high elevations including pine-forested areas. Some inhabit the Grand Canyon, in and around Lake Powell, and areas in the Colorado River Basin. Their numbers have diminished over the last several decades. If you come across a horned toad, just enjoy observing this interesting creature. Don't touch them and by all means do not consider taking them home as pets which is prohibited by the Arizona Game and Wildlife Department. Other Sources of Information Lizard | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants SPECIES: More than 4,675 ABOUT What is a lizard?

Lizards are part of a group of animals known as reptiles. They are most closely related to snakes. In fact, some lizards, called sheltopusiks, look like snakes because they have no legs! Many lizards today resemble the ancient reptiles of the dinosaur era. Their ancestors appeared on Earth over 200 million years ago. In general, lizards have a small head, short neck, and long body and tail. Unlike snakes, most lizards have moveable eyelids. There are currently over 4,675 lizard species, including iguanas, chameleons, geckos, Gila monsters, monitors, and skinks. Most lizards have eyelids, just like we do, that clean and protect their eyes when they blink. But some lizards, like geckos, can’t blink! Instead, they have a clear membrane that shields their eyes from dirt or bright sun and use their tongue to clean their eyes. Many lizards, such as iguanas, can see in color. Their colorful body parts allow them to communicate with each other and help them tell which are male and which are female. Lizards smell stuff with their tongues!

Just like snakes, a lizard sticks out its tongue to catch scent particles in the air and then pulls back its tongue and places those particles on the roof of its mouth, where there are special sensory cells. The lizard can use these scent “clues” to find food or a mate or to detect enemies. Lizards don’t have earflaps like mammals do. Instead, they have visible ear openings to catch sound, and their eardrums are just below the surface of their skin. Even so, lizards can’t hear as well as we do, but their hearing is better than that of snakes. Lizards have dry, scaly skin that does not grow with their bodies. Instead, most lizards shed, or molt, their old skin in large flakes to make way for the new skin growth underneath. The exception to this is with the alligator lizard, which may shed its skin in one piece, like a snake. The scales on lizards vary, depending on their habitat. Skinks have smooth scales so mud won’t cling to them; some lizard species have bony plates, called osteoderms, under their scales for added protection against rough terrain.

Lizards are popular prey for many types of predators, from birds of prey to snakes and carnivorous mammals. Their camouflage and ability to stay still for hours helps keep them safe. Several types of lizards are able to escape from an enemy’s grasp by breaking off part of their own tail. The tail has a weak spot just for this purpose. If a predator grabs the lizard by its tail, the tail easily comes off. It can grow back over time, although the tail won’t look quite the same. Still, it’s better than being someone else’s dinner! Other lizards have different ways to stay safe. Horned lizards are able to squirt blood from tiny blood vessels in their eyes to scare away or confuse a predator. The armadillo lizard has sharp, spiky scales and can roll up into a tight ball to protect its soft belly from attack. The sungazer lizard has impressive spikes that cover its body, including the tail. The alligator lizard bites, thrashes about to get loose, or voids foul-smelling feces. The tropical girdled lizard darts into a crack, expands its body, and lodges itself in so tightly that a predator can’t remove it.

The shingle-backed skink is the reptile equivalent of Dr. Doolittle’s two-headed llama, the “push-me-pull-you” with its fat, wide tail that resembles the head. If confronted by a predator, the skink bends its body into a C shape, which confuses the predator because it appears as if the skink has two heads. The Australian frilled lizard has a “frill” of loose skin around its neck that can stick out when the lizard is frightened. This makes the lizard look much bigger than it really is, and a predator may decide to look for something smaller to eat. If that doesn’t work, the lizard runs away on its hind feet! HABITAT AND DIET Lizards can be found in every continent except Antarctica, and they live in all habitats except extremely cold areas and deep oceans. Most lizards live on the ground, but others can be found making their home in a tree, in a burrow, or in the water. Tree dwellers have special toes: long with sharp claws or short and wide. They often have a prehensile tail for grasping thin branches.

Those that live in a burrow tend to have smaller legs, or none at all, to help them move underground more easily. Marine iguanas spend much of their lives underwater, although they come to shore to rest on rocks or a sandy beach. Desert dwellers, like the ground gecko, usually sleep during the day underneath the warm sand and then come out when the sun has gone down. Different lizard species eat different types of food. Some are predators, eating mammals, birds, and other reptiles. Others are mainly vegetarian, eating leaves, fruits, and flowers. Two are venomous: the Gila monster and the Mexican beaded lizard. Their venom comes from saliva glands in the jaw, and the lizards chew it into the victim. Caiman lizards are adept at eating snails and other shelled animals. Upon seizing a snail, the lizard raises its head and relaxes its grip, causing the snail to roll to the back of its mouth. It then bites down with flattened, molar-like teeth and cracks the shell. By alternating bites and rotating the snail with the tongue, the lizard completely removes the shell and pushes the pieces out of the mouth.

Most lizards are insect eaters, grabbing crickets, flies, grasshoppers, and more with long, sticky tongues or quick bites. At the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, our lizards are fed a variety of insects, worms, and meat products as well as fruits and vegetables, depending upon each species’ preference. FAMILY LIFE Male lizards use a variety of methods to attract a female’s attention. They bob their head vigorously or display their brightest colors or best features. The green anole lizard inflates a rust-colored throat sack, called a dewlap, to win over the lady of his choice, sometimes keeping up this display for hours. Red-headed agamas are African lizards with brown skin. But when the male needs to make sure others see him, his head turns fiery red and his body and tail change to a bright, shiny blue. Other males may fight with each other until the weaker one gives up. Most female lizards lay soft, leathery eggs and then call it a day—they don’t stick around to protect the eggs from harm or keep them warm. Fortunately, the newly hatched lizards are able to take care of themselves right away, without the mother’s help.

Of course, there are exceptions to soft eggs and lack of care in the lizard world! The tokay gecko lays soft eggs that harden in the dry air and stick to the surface on which they were laid. The sandstone gecko lays eggs in rocky crevices, so these eggs have a tough cover. The Nile monitor lizard lays her eggs in termite mounds. The heat from the termites in the mound helps incubate the eggs. Some skink mothers return to the nest to warm their eggs, and some female skinks give birth to live young. No matter what the circumstances of their start in life, baby lizards look like tiny versions of their parents. AT THE ZOO The San Diego Zoo has had a variety of lizards for our guests to admire since our earliest days, when our collection included Gila monsters, iguanas, European legless lizards (sheltopusiks), and monitor lizards. Many of the exotic lizards we acquired in those early years were obtained by trading local specimens. Oftentimes members of the military brought animals to the Zoo during their trips abroad.

In 1930, we were thrilled to receive a shipment of six “beautiful iguanas, by far the handsomest and largest specimens of this creature that the Zoo has ever had” from a lieutenant in the Marine Corps. An Australian water dragon was the first lizard to make the cover of our member magazine, ZOONOOZ, back in 1931. Several of our iguanas appeared in movies in the 1930s, making the jungle scenes in two Tarzan pictures and Treasure Island look tropical and dangerous. Today, the Zoo is home to an amazing assortment of lizards, including red-headed and blue-headed agamas, bearded dragons, scheltopusiks, geckos, Gila monsters, skinks, caiman lizards, and Komodo dragons. We have had several breeding successes over the years, including the first captive hatching of Gila monster eggs in 1963, the first North American births of New Caledonian live-bearing geckos and emperor flat lizards in 2000, and the first successful breeding of Anegada Island iguanas in 2001.

Also in 2000, the Zoo hatched our first-ever green tree monitor—and we have consistently hatched over 30 since then, making it the most successful green tree monitor program in the US. A satanic leaf-tailed gecko made the local news in January 2011 as the first official San Diego Zoo baby of 2011. The hatchling was also notable because we are one of only two zoos to breed this unusual species. Gecko breeding takes place behind the scenes in one of the reptile buildings. Keepers watch the behavior of the female as a clue to when eggs might be found. The eggs are placed in a plastic container of moist vermiculite and kept in the gecko’s enclosure to keep an eye on them. The Zoo's Reptile Walk features lizard species native to Southern California: the Panamint alligator lizard and giant horned lizard. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is home to a Nile monitor in our Animal Care Center. Named Obedass, this adult weighs nearly 40 pounds (18 kilograms). With his good looks and impressive size, he causes quite a stir among our guests!

Obedass arrived at the Safari Park in 2004 from a zoo in Illinois. His diet consists of mice, crawfish, and meat “sausages” made for zoo carnivores. A humidifier in his enclosure keeps Obedass’ skin in good condition, and he has special heating and lighting to keep him comfortable. In the Park’s Hidden Jungle crevasse, you’ll find the Mali uromastyx, banded velvet gecko, and giant leaf-tailed gecko. CONSERVATION Staff at San Diego Zoo Global’s state-of-the-art Kenneth C. and Anne D. Griffin Reptile Conservation Center have succeeded in breeding the most critically endangered iguanas in the world, the Caribbean rock iguanas. We have been involved with Caribbean iguana conservation and recovery programs for almost two decades, establishing captive breeding facilities for five of the most endangered species on their respective home islands. To date, more than 700 Caribbean iguanas have been raised in these facilities and released. An initiative is underway to establish a large, centralized, multi-species facility for endangered iguanas on Puerto Rico. Closer to home, and in partnership with the U.S.

Geological Survey, we have been monitoring the biological diversity of the Biodiversity Reserve at the Safari Park since 2002. This monitoring project provides significant insights into the population ecology of the native species living in the Reserve, including an abundance of native lizard species including whiptails, side-blotch lizards, western fence lizards, granite spiny lizards, western skinks, and Gilbert’s skinks. It is amazing how many lizard species are native to our own backyard here in Southern California! What can you do to help lizards in Southern California? Be water wise! Over watering our yards in San Diego attracts nonnative Argentine ants, which then displace the native southern California ants, which then causes the now-endangered San Diego horned lizard to starve! Sounds TPWD: Texas Horned Lizard Watch: Horned Lizard Facts Texas Horned Lizard Watch: Horned Lizard Facts Horned lizards are named for the crown of horns found on their heads, the size and number of which vary among species.

Although often called horned toads, horny toads, or even horned frogs because of their wide, flattened bodies (their scientific name Phrynosoma actually means “toad-body”), they are not amphibians like other toads, but are reptiles with scales, claws and young produced on land. More than a dozen different species of horned lizards are found throughout western North America. Three horned lizard species call Texas home, with the most widespread being the Texas Horned Lizard, or the familiar �horny toad.� The geographic range of these species can overlap in West Texas, but they can each be readily distinguished from each other by the following characteristics.

Round-tailed Horned Lizard (Phrysonsoma modestum) Horns: four horns of medium length lined up on the back of the head Scales: few enlarged scales on the body, sides without spiky fringe Coloring: white to gray, brown or pink, with dark blotches at the legs and neck; bands on tail Length: 3 to 4 inches Range: rocky areas in the western third of Texas Greatern Short-horned Lizard (Phrysonsoma hernandesi) Horns: robust head that is wider than long and heart-shaped, back of the head is tipped only with small horns Scales: one row of spiky fringe scales along the side of the body Coloring: variable colors and patterns ranging from simple brown or grey to intricate patterns of bright colors including orange, yellow, white, red, blue and green Length: 3.5 to 6 inches Range: only higher elevations, in the forests of the Davis and Guadalupe mountains of West Texas Texas Horned Lizard (Phrysonsoma cornutum) Horns: two prominent horns at the rear and center of the skull Scales: two rows of spiky fringe scales on the side of the body Coloring: gray

 to brown to rust, with dark spots in rows down the back, a light central stripe, and dark lines radiating from the eye Length: 3.5 to 5 inches Range: most of Texas, though now nearly gone from the eastern third Texas Horned Lizards feed primarily on harvester ants, also called red ants.

Harvester ants build large mounds with a hole in the center. Mounds are very visible, because the ants remove the vegetation from a circular area three to six feet in diameter. One volunteer reports that one way to know if horned lizards are active is to watch for harvester ants—both species like it hot! (80-95°F). Texas Horned Lizards have some amazing defenses! Its horny appearance and coloration helps it to blend into sparse vegetation. Its horns may make it less palatable. It can also inflate itself to a larger apparent size. Finally, the horned lizard is renowned for its ability to shoot a stream of blood from its eye (actually, its eyelid). Don’t mess with horny toads! Back to Top ODFW, Oregon Wildlife Species: Reptiles Oregon Wildlife Species -U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Western Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta Western Painted Turtles need marshy ponds, small lakes, slow-moving streams and quiet off-channel portions of rivers. They prefer waters with muddy bottoms with aquatic vegetation. Open ground for nesting and logs for basking help keep this species healthy. These painted turtles occur in the Blue Mountains and Willamette Valley ecoregions.

In the Columbia Plateau, East Cascades and West Cascades ecoregions, they live only along the Columbia River. Western Pond Turtle -Photo by Al St.John- Western Pond Turtles Clemmys marmorata Pond Turtles prefer marshes, streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. They need sparse vegetation nearby for digging nests and like to bask on logs. They can be found in the Coast Range, East Cascades, Klamath Mountains, West Cascades and Willamette Valley ecoregions. Population declines are due to habitat loss, degradation of nesting areas by invasive plants, competition from non-native turtles and disease. Predators include raccoons and invasive bullfrogs and fish. Sea Turtles -U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Loggerhead Caretta caretta -U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Green Turtle Chelonia mydas Leatherback Turtle Dermochelys coriacea Proposed critical habitat for this endangered species includes Oregon waters. Lizards Lizards are more like ancient reptiles than either snakes or turtles.

There are more than 2,500 species of lizards known in the world and they range from legless, snake-like varieties to the better known, four legged type with five toes on each foot and scaly skin. Most lizards lay eggs but some give birth to live young. Most eat insects and small animals; some eat plants. Many lizards are very fast and most can swim. Some can even "swim" through the sand just below the surface. Lizards don't like to be caught and several species will take some pretty drastic steps to get away... like letting their tails break off! Should one of these lizards be caught from behind, its tail will separate from the body, leaving the predator holding a tail that seems to have a life of its own, slapping and wrapping itself all around. With luck, the sacrificial tail will keep the predator occupied just long enough to let the lizard get away, and begin to grow a new tail. Many lizards can let their tails break off numerous times and they will just grow back. In fact, some lizards have been known to break off their own tails and eat them when food was scarce. It's a lizard's sack lunch.

Oregon has a variety of lizards within its borders. Everything from the wide-spread swifts or fence lizards to alligator lizards (which have a personality to match their name) to the dinosaur like horned lizards, sometimes called horny toads, of southeastern Oregon. But the most common lizard in Oregon is the skink. Skinks can be recognized by their smooth, glossy scales. Northern Alligator Lizard -Photo by Kathy Munsel, ODFW- Northern Alligator Lizard Elagaria coerulea This lizard prefers humid areas, such as the edges of meadows in coniferous forests, and is also found in riparian zones. This is the only lizard found in the cool coastal forests of northern Oregon. The Northern Alligator Lizard eats small invertebrates (termites, beetles, ticks, spiders, millipedes, and snails), and occasionally takes small birds, mammals, and other lizards.

Southern Alligator Lizard -Wikipedia- Southern Alligator Lizard Elgaria multicarinata The Southern Alligator lizard is found in a variety of habitats from grassland and chaparral to oak woodlands and edges of open coniferous forests, as well as riparian zones and moist canyon bottoms. It requires thickets, brush heaps, downed logs, or rock piles for cover. This carnivorous lizard feeds primarily on small invertebrates (slugs, spiders, centipedes, scorpions, beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets), but also is known to feed on bird eggs, nestlings, other lizards, and small mammals. Mojave Black-collared Lizard -Wikipedia- Mojave Black-collared Lizard Crotaphytus bicinctores This lizard is found in a variety of desert shrub vegetation types, but is most dependent on the presence of rock outcrops, boulders, or talus slopes. The Mojave Black-collared Lizard is an aggressive carnivore that eats a variety of other reptiles and large insects, such as crickets and grasshoppers, as well as some plant material.

-Wikipedia- Long-nosed Leopard Lizard Gambelia wislizenii These lizards are found in open desert shrublands, particularly where islands of sand have accumulated around shrubs, and are absent where a dense grass understory would inhibit their ability to run. The Longnose Leopard Lizard eats large insects, such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles, and also takes small vertebrates, including pocket mice, side-blotched lizards, whiptails, and fence lizards. Some plant material (flowers, berries) is eaten when available. Pygmy Short-horned Lizard -Wikipedia- Pygmy Short-horned Lizard Phrynosoma douglasii The Short-horned Lizard occurs in sagebrush deserts, juniper woodlands, and open coniferous forests. It prefers open areas with sandy soils, but is also found on rocky soil. Ants make up a large part of the diet, but beetles, caterpillars, spiders, and sowbugs are also eaten. This lizard burrows into the soil when inactive.

Desert Horned Lizard -Wikipedia- Desert Horned Lizard Phrynosoma platyrhinos The Desert Horned Lizard is found in flat or gently rolling deserts covered with sagebrush or salt-desert shrub. It prefers areas with scattered bushes and loose, sandy soil, but sometimes occurs in rocky areas or on hardpan. Primary foods are ants and beetles. It also feeds on insect larvae, spiders, crickets, flies, and small grasshoppers. Sagebrush Lizard -Wikipedia- Sagebrush Lizard Sceloporus graciosus As their common name implies, these lizards are found in sagebrush habitats, but also occur in chaparral, juniper woodlands, and coniferous forests. They require well-illuminated open ground near cover and are primarily ground dwellers. They eat a variety of small invertebrates, including crickets, beetles, flies, ants, wasps, bees, mites, ticks, and spiders.

Western Fence Lizard -Photo by Dave Budeau, ODFW- Western Fence Lizard Sceloporus occidentalis The Western Fence Lizard occupies a wide range of habitats, from desert canyons and grasslands to coniferous forests. It requires vertical structure in its habitat, such as rock piles of logs. It is absent from dense, humid forests and flat desert valleys. This lizard is insectivorous, and feeds on crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, ants , wasps, leafhoppers, and aphids. Some spiders are taken as well. Side-blotched Lizard -Wikipedia- Side-blotched Lizard Uta stansburiana The sie-blotched lizard is found in sagebrush, juniper, and shadscale habitats. It is often found on sandy bottoms of washes or canyons, especially in the presence of scattered rocks. This small lizard feed mostly on smaller invertebrates such as spiders, mites, ticks, sowbugs, beetles, flies, ants, and small grasshoppers.

Western skink Western Skink Eumeces skiltonianus The Western Skink is found in moist places, such as under rocks or logs, in a variety of habitats from grassland and chaparral to desert scrub, juniper woodlands, and coniferous woodlands and forests. Rocky areas with some moisture, such as riparian zones, are favored. This skink feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates, including beetles, grasshoppers, moths, flies, spiders, and earthworms. Western Whiptail -Wikipedia- Western Whiptail Cnemidophorus tigris The Western Whiptail is fond in eastern Oregon deserts and semiarid shrublands. It is most common in flat, sandy areas and along dry washes. These Lizards are primarily insectivorous. In a food habits study in southeastern Oregon, they ate caterpillars, crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles. They also eat spiders, scorpions, and other lizards.

Plateau Striped Whiptail -Oregon Fish and Wildlife- Rubber boa Charina bottae The Rubber Boa occurs in a variety of habitats, from desert scrub, foothill woodlands, and grasslands through deciduous and coniferous forests. In the Oregon coast ranges, it is found commonly in forest clearings that contain rotting stumps and logs. It is absent from the immediate vicinity of the coast north of Coos Bay. Rubber Boas are constrictors and eat small mammals, especially young mice and shrews. Racer -Wikipedia- Racer Coluber constrictor The Racer is found in a variety of open habitats, including sagebrush flats, juniper woodlands, chaparral, and meadows. It avoids dense forests, high mountains, and very dry areas, and seeks cover under rocks, logs, or dense shrubs This species feeds on lizards, smaller snakes, frogs, toads, small mammals, birds and their eggs, and some insects. Young racers eat crickets, grasshoppers, and other insects.

Sharptail Snake -Wikipedia- Sharptail Snake Contia Tenuis This snake is found in moist areas in coniferous forest, deciduous woodlands, chaparral, and grasslands. It frequents open grassy areas at forest edges and usually occurs under the cover of logs, rocks, fallen branches, or talus. The sharptail snake appears to specialize in feeding on slugs. Ringneck Snake -Wikipedia- Ringneck Snake Diadophis punctatus The Ringneck Snake requires moist microhabitats such as downed logs, rocks, or stumps. it is found in a variety of vegetation types, but is most closely associated with pine-oak woodlands and moist canyon bottoms. It also can be abundant in Willamette Valley grasslands. These snakes feed mainly on small lizards, snakes and salamanders and also slugs, earthworms, frogs, and insects. Night Snake -Wikipedia- Night Snake Hypsiglena torquata In the Northwest, the night snake frequents arid desert scrub habitats near rocky outcrops or rimrock. It takes refuge in talus slopes or rocky crevices during the day.

Night Snakes tend to feed on cold-blooded prey, especially lizards and their eggs, frogs, toads, salamanders, large insects, and small snakes. These snakes are primarily nocturnal, and are more active on relatively cool nights of early summer. Common Kingsnake -Oregon Fish and Wildlife- Common Kingsnake Lampropeltis getula This snake is most common in thick vegetation along watercourses, but ranges into farmland, chaparral, and deciduous and mixed coniferous woodlands in the Rogue and Umpqua river valleys of southwestern Oregon. Common Kingsnakes usually feed on other snakes, but have been known to take small turtles, birds and their eggs, frogs, lizards, reptile eggs, and some small mammals. California Mountain Kingsnake -Hoda Sondassi, USFWS- California Mountain Kingsnake Lampropeltis zonata This species is found in pine forests, oak woodland, and in chaparral of southwestern Oregon valleys. It is usually found in, under, or near rotting logs in open wooded areas near streams. The California Mountain Kingsnake preys upon snakes, lizards, birds and their eggs, and some small mammals.

Striped Whipsnake -Photo by K.S. Matz- Striped Whipsnake Masticophis taeniatus In the Northwest, this snake is found in grasslands, sagebrush flats, rocky stream courses, and canyon bottoms. Elsewhere it also frequents juniper and pine-oak woodlands. In southwestern Oregon, it is found in dry bushy areas close to rocks. Young Striped Whipsnakes feed primarily on lizards and insects. Adults also take snakes, small mammals, young birds, and insects. Gopher Snake -Oregon Fish and Wildlife- Gopher Snake Pituophis catenifer The Gopher Snake occurs in a wide variety of habitats, from deserts and grasslands to woodlands and open forests. It frequents agricultural regions, especially where there is brushy cover such as fence rows. Diet varies according to size, with young eating insects, lizards, rodents, and birds and their eggs. Adults can take larger prey, occasionally as large as rabbits.

Western Ground Snake -Photo by Kory Roberts- Western Ground Snake Sonora semiannulata The Ground Snake is found in arid desert scrub vegetation with sandy soil, usually under surface objects or in areas with some surface moisture, such as the edges of washes. This snake feeds on small arthropods such as spiders, scorpions, centipedes, crickets, and grasshoppers. It also takes insect larvae. Pacific Coast Aquatic Garter Snake -Wikipedia- Pacific Coast Aquatic Garter Snake Thamnophis atratus This highly aquatic snake is found in wet meadows, riparian areas, marshes, and moist forests near rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. It requires streams with thick riparian vegetation (for escape) and exposed boulders for basking. it takes aquatic prey such as small fish and fish eggs, salamanders, tadpoles, frogs, toads, earthworms, and leeches. Western Terrestrial Garter Snake -Oregon Fish and Wildlife- Western Terrestrial Garter Snake Thamnophis elegans vagrans This species is found in a variety of habitats.

To make matters more confusing, four subspecies are found in Oregon, each of which has somewhat different habitat preferences. All can be found in moist areas such as marshes and lake or stream margins, but two may occur some distance from water. The diet varies among subspecies, the more aquatic forms feed on fish, frogs, tadpoles, and leeches, which are eaten in the water. Terrestrial forms take frogs and toads, but also lizards, small mammals, salamanders and slugs. Northwestern garter snake -Wikipedia- Northwestern garter snake Thamnophis ordinoides This snake is found in meadows and at the edges of clearings in forests. It prefers areas with dense vegetation but, when basking, can be found in open areas or on talus slopes. It occurs in wooded areas on the floor of the Willamette Valley. This garter snake is commonly found in suburban areas and city parks. The Northwestern Garter Snake feeds mainly on slugs and earthworms, but also takes insects, small salamanders, frogs, fish, small mammals, and possibly nestlings of ground nesting birds.

Common garter snake Horned Toads (Short-Horned Lizards), Horned Toad (Short-Horned Lizard) Pictures, Horned Toad (Short-Horned Lizard) Facts - National Geographic Size relative to a tea cup Please add a "relative" entry to your dictionary. The short-horned lizard is often referred to as a “horned toad” or “horny toad” because its squat, flattened shape and short, blunt snout give it a toad-ish look. There are over a dozen recognized species found in the deserts and semi-arid environments of North and Central America, from southern Canada to Guatemala. Species are distinguishable by the formidable crown of horns adorning their head and the numerous spines across their back. Their coloring can be yellowish, gray, or reddish-brown depending on the environment they inhabit, and, combined with their shape, affords them considerable camouflage on the surface. They feed primarily on ants, waiting for one to unsuspectingly crawl by before snapping it in and swallowing it whole. They are also known to eat grasshoppers, beetles, and spiders.

Despite their spiky features, short-horned lizards are preyed upon by a number of creatures, including hawks, roadrunners, snakes, lizards, dogs, wolves, and coyotes. Consequently, beyond their natural camouflage, they have adapted a pair of remarkable talents. In order to ward off hungry predators, short-horned lizards are capable of inflating their bodies up to twice their size, resembling a spiny balloon. And if this proves insufficient, some species employ one of the animal kingdom’s most bizarre defensive mechanisms: They shoot blood from their eyes. The ominous squirting blood emanates from ducts in the corners of their eyes and can travel a distance of up to three feet (one meter). It’s meant to confuse would-be predators, but also contains a chemical that is noxious to dogs, wolves, and coyotes. Over recent decades short-horn lizard populations have been in decline throughout their range. Destruction of their native habitat, efforts to eradicate ants—their staple food—and the pet trade have all contributed to this.

Question: """Galliwasp"" and ""Horned toad"" are types of which creature?"
Answer: Lizard